Kale Nero di Toscana - Mr. Fothergill`s Seeds

Brassica oleracea acephala

• Vitamin A and C
• Full sun
• Germination in 7-10 days
• Harvest in 30-60 days
• Hardy and nutritious
• An extremely hardy vegetable
• Provides a tasty and nutritious fall and winter crop

Nero di Toscana Kale. Heirloom vegetable. A rather primitive looking kale with strap-like, crinkled blue-green leaves 7.5cm (3in) wide by 25cm (10in) long. Plants can grow to 1m (39in) in height. Baby greens can be harvested from 30 days after planting with full size savoyed leaves taking up to 60 days. Often noted as Dinosaur Kale or Lacinato Kale, has been around since at least 1800.

Approx. 400 seeds

Outdoors: sow thinly April-September, in a seed bed, 1.5cm (½") deep, directly into finely-prepared, well-cultivated, moist, fertile soil. Allow 30cm (1') between rows. Seedlings usually appear in 14-28 days. Thin to 45cm (18") apart. No thinning is necessary if only baby leaves are required. Keep moist. Regular sowings, made every two to three weeks, will ensure a continuous supply. Harvest baby leaves from June.

Sow indoors, March-May, 0.5cm (¼") deep, in a tray of compost. Keep warm and moist. A temperature of 15°C (60°F) is ideal. Transplant 5cm (2") apart to other trays, when large enough to handle. Gradually accustom young plants to outside conditions (avoid frosts) before planting out, 45cm (18") apart, during May-June, into well-cultivated, fertile soil. Harvest mature plants from September to March. 

Cut the crown to develop side shoots.